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How can I get help with my homework?
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Homework help in books
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Every library has books on many subjects that you will be doing at school. Most of these you will be able to borrow. Except for the very small libraries, the libraries also have tables and chairs so you can sit and do your homework in the library.
However, there isn't enough space in each library for us to have enough books for every child in your school, on every subject. We will always do everything we can to help you find books for your homework, but you might find that, sometimes, you will only be able to borrow homework books for a few days, or will be limited to only one or two. This is only fair, since it helps share the books around.
Of course, if you come to the library as soon as you know about your project, you will have a better chance of getting the books than if you leave it to the last minute.
You can also reserve books from other libraries. Even if everyone in Sandown, for example, is doing the Romans at school, it could be that no-one in Ryde is doing them at all. So sometimes there are lots of books sitting unused on the shelves in another library, even if there is nothing left in your local library. Remember, you can borrow books from any library on the island with your ticket, and don't need to join each individual library.
Your teachers are also able to borrow books from the Schools' Library Service, which has even more books than your local library on homework subjects. So you will often be using library books at school, even if you don't ever go into your local library.
Each library also has a reference section. A reference book is a book that you can't take out of the library. These are usually things like encyclopedias and atlases. Even if all the books on a subject are out of the library, you can often find some very useful information in an encyclopedia. Most libraries have photocopiers, if you need to copy the information.
Remember, if you can't find any books on the subject you need to do, you should ask a librarian. Sometimes there is some very good information hidden away in more general books, and a librarian can help you find it.
Homework help on the internet
Computers in libraries
From April 2003, all libraries on the Isle of Wight will have computers with internet access that can be used for free. At busy times, you will have to book ahead, and your mum or dad will have to sign a piece of paper saying that they're happy with you using the internet in the libraries.
There are millions on internet sites out there, and it can often be hard to find exactly what you're looking for. Here are some sites that you might find useful for your homework topics.
Remember, though, that the internet isn't always better than books. There are some things that are a lot easier to find in library books, rather than on the internet.
How to search
If you are trying to find information on the internet, use one of the sites listed here. All of these only include sites that are for children, so you won't find things that are too hard for you.
Ask Jeeves for Kids
This is the children's version of a popular search engine. A search engine is something that will search the whole internet for you, and give you a list of the sites that are most likely to help you answer your question. You don't have to know any special computer language. Just type in your question - e.g. "why is the sky blue?" - and Jeeves will help you answer it.
Yahooligans!
This is a little bit different from Ask Jeeves. Yahooligans has already searched the web and found lots of sites it thinks you will find useful, and then grouped them together by subject.
The Homework Elephant
has three sections. One has links to useful sites about a variety of subjects you might be doing at school, one has tips on revision, and one, called The Agony Elephant, is a place you can send in your own questions to be answered.
Homework High
is a little like the Homework Elephant, but with slightly fewer subjects. It, too, has a section where you can send in questions - but read the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) first to see if someone else has already asked it.
Subjects
Animals
General:
Dinosaurs:
Art
Art History network
: This site has biographies of hundreds of artists, with pictures of their work
Art History
: This is aimed at adults, but might be useful for information about artists. Not many pictures
Famous people
Florence Nightingale
Country Joe MacDonald
: A useful site, written by someone who really likes Florence Nightingale! Not aimed at children, but the information isn't too hard to understand
Spartacus
: Lots of facts, but not many pictures
Inventors:
Geography
Countries:
There are too many countries to list here. Here is the list of countries on
Yahooligans
. Choose the country you want, click on it, and you'll be given a list of websites, all useful for children
Barnaby Bear explores the world
: For 5 - 7 year olds. A quick tour of the countries of the world
The earth:
History:
General sites
BBC History
: BBC History has sites on almost every period of history. Most of them have sections aimed at children, and all of them are full of facts and pictures
History Learning site
: This covers all the KS3 history topics - Medieval times, Tudors, Stuarts, World War One etc.
BBC Schools
: If you're 11 or over, this site has links to all the topics you might be studying in school
Ancient Egypt
The British Museum site
: An excellent site, with facts, photos and challenges. Aimed at ages 7 - 11
PBS
: This site is mostly about archaelogy, especially pyramids. You can even crawl inside a real pyramid and explore it!
Discovery Channel
: This site has a lot in information on mummies, as well as Ancient Egypt in general. It includes videos and games. Can you solve the mystery of who killed King Tut? Can you build a pyramid before time runs out?
Ancient Greeks
Romans
The Roman Empire site
: A children's section with lots of information
The Romans in Britain
: A site aimed at children aged 7 -10
BBC schools site
: For children aged 7 - 11
Boudicca's revolt
: An interactive story about Boudicca's revolt against the Romans
Romans in Sussex
: Lots of information about Roman life, with different sections for different age groups
Roman Sandy
: This site is all about excavations taking place in Sandy, Bedfordshire. There are lots of games and quizzes to complete. If you finish them all, you get a certificate!
Anglo-Saxons
BBC History site:
Aimed at children
Anglo-Saxons.net:
This site isn't especially aimed at children, but it does have a lot of facts in it.
Map of Anglo-Saxon England:
That's all this site is - a very nice map of Anglo-Saxon England!
Regia Anglorum
: Regia Anglorum is a re-enactment group - people who dress up and pretend to live in the past. On this site, you can have a tour of their Anglo-Saxon village, and see pictures of daily life
Vikings
BBC History:
Facts, maps, pictures, games and videos
BBC schools
: For children aged 7 - 9
NOVA online:
Explore a Viking village on video. Lots of information about Viking ships. And you can write your name in runes.
Normans
Medieval times (including castles)
Medieval England
: The History Learning site has sections on all the major medieval topics, including castles, daily life, kings, and Black Death
Spartacus: Medieval world
: This is especially useful if you need to find out about any medieval king
Castles in Wales
: This site isn't just about castles in Wales, but castles in general, and medieval life
The Black Death
: from the History Learning site
Wharram Percy
: Wharram Percy is a deserted medieval village. This site tells you all about it, and about medieval village life
Tudors
Henry VIII:
A site aimed at children aged 7 - 10, with lots of interactive things to do
Elizabethan England
Tudor England: History Learning site
: This has sections on all the major Tudor topics - Henry VIII, Mary Rose, Armada etc.
Tudor website
: This site isn't aimed at children, but it contains a lot of facts, and is written in fairly simple language
The Mary Rose
: Lots and lots of information about the Mary Rose. Click on the "R U KS2?" section for facts and activities aimed at children
The Tudors
: General information about the Tudors - especially Henry VIII. In particular, there is information about Tudor art and music. You can hear some Tudor tunes.
Tudor history:
Another site that isn't specifically aimed at children, but might be useful, especially for Middle School pupils studying Tudor monarchs.
Explorers
Stuarts
Victorians
Virtual Victorians:
An excellent site about Victorian life. Read a "day in the life" of a Victorian, and find out about toys, transport, schools, childhood etc.
Children in Victorian times (BBC schools):
Aimed at 9 - 11 year olds
Victorian children
History of London
: Click on "Victorian London" for information about life in Victorian times
Cadbury's
: You might be surprised to see a chocolate manufacturer having a section on Victorian history, but this site has good information and pictures about working in a Victorian factory
World War Two
Isle of Wight
Myths and legends
Religion
World religions in general
Festivals
Festivals
: This site lists the dates of all festivals in all major religions
See also the individual religions
Buddhism
Christianity (inc. Christmas)
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Sikhism
Science
Environment
Funergy
: A fun site that shows you how to protect the environment by saving energy
Habitats
Naturegrid
: A very useful and fun site with information about lots of habitats. There is a special section for younger children
The human body
Brain pop
: Aimed at children. This site has lots of facts about the human body and how it works. Also includes games and pictures
BBC body matters
: Take a tour of your body, and find out how to stay healthy
Healthy teeth
: A site aimed at children, all about keeping teeth healthy
Dentistry.com
: As well as facts about healthy teeth, this site includes a game called Dental Defence: can you shoot the foods that are bad for teeth, and let through the foods that are good?
Light
Space
Shakespeare
